At LION, we remain deeply committed to our students, families, and community. Our pillars, Character, Leadership, Social Justice, Curiosity, Family, and Community, serve as the foundation of our program. Our emphasis on character ensures that there are myriad opportunities for self-reflection and feedback. In our classrooms and class meetings, students consider the state of our school, community, nation, and world, as they identify ways they can serve as leaders in partnership with faculty. We have also forged critical partnerships with nonprofit organizations and other neighborhood schools, recognizing that together we can affect the changes we seek to make. We are change agents, beginning with the evolutions we must make in ourselves, our families, and communities.
In this issue, you will read about the exciting things happening in our school. We celebrated the start of the school year with our families, whom we ensure feel welcome and supported. During LION 101, our staff orientation program, we pushed new staff out of their comfort zone and introduced them to our program and practices. This issue highlights the ways in which we are transcending the space of our school buildings in an effort to pique curiosity and build cultural competence. We also share how we celebrate identity and the cultural roots that inform our perspectives.
The success of our program is clear. We retain students and faculty at higher rates than our peer schools. We are proud to serve a diverse student population, including students with disabilities and multilingual learners. Students who complete our program matriculate into college, persist, and graduate from postsecondary institutions at rates that exceed national averages for students in the same demographics. Our alumni remain connected to our school, some joining our team as teachers, deans, information technology associates, development and marketing interns, and more. We credit these accomplishments, and others, to our thriving school culture and steadfast commitment to character.
I invite you to connect with us to learn more about the work we are doing and the ways you can contribute. Our supporters and community partners have a tangible impact on the students and families we serve. Thank you for your partnership and belief in our students’ potential.
Sincerely,
Celia Sosa, Chief Executive Officer
Look Inside
Click here or on the image below to read the Character Matters Fall 2022 issue.
